I am confused about what to do with my hands! My coach has told me to keep my ingers together, but I have read that it is best to have space between the ingers so that the hand has a greater surface area underwater. Who is right? Sara Carington
Coach Cassie says: Both are right to some degree! I believe sometimes thinking of moving water can be difficult, as it’s so wishy washy, so imagine you’re moving sand instead. If you were asked to pick up as much sand as possible you wouldn’t have your fingers wide apart, you would naturally cup your hands and keep your fingers together. For most swimmers that is exactly the same principle as moving water. I always coach my swimmers to put their hands on their cheeks, fingers closed and relaxed, try never to be overly tensed as this wastes energy.